Penguins defenseman Marcus Pettersson resumes practicing

Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Marcus Pettersson rejoined his teammates for a practice session in Cranberry on Friday. While he participated in a non-contact fashion, it marked the first time he has formally practiced since he suffered an undisclosed injury during a 3-2 overtime road loss to the Ottawa Senators on Dec. 16.

Aside from wearing a white non-contact jersey, Pettersson displayed few limitations during the session and even worked extensively as a penalty killer during special teams drills.

Officially, Pettersson remains sidelined on a “week-to-week” basis but his presence in practice was labeled as “progress” by coach Mike Sullivan.

“It’s really encouraging,” Sullivan said. “He (skated before practice with assistant coach Ty Hennes) first this morning. Felt really good. So, our medical team felt comfortable giving him the opportunity to participate in the team practice, which I think is a real important step in the return-to-play process. Just getting around the team environment, being on the ice with multiple players on the ice, the spatial relationships, that’s the hardest part. Especially if you’re out for an extended period of time. To get him involved in the team practice today was a huge step for Marcus.”

Pettersson is currently designated to injured reserve. Primarily deployed on a defensive pairing with Erik Karlsson, Pettersson has played in 32 games this season and has scored 13 points (two goals, 11 assists) while logging 21:47 of ice time per contest.

Rookie defenseman Owen Pickering (concussion) did not participate in practice though he watched the session from near the bench in gym clothing. Injured during a 3-0 road loss to the New Jersey Devils on Saturday, he is designated to injured reserve as well.

In 14 games this season, Pickering has two points (one goal, one assist) while clocking 15:47 of ice time per contest.

Notes:

• The Penguins’ lines and pairs during practice:

67 Rickard Rakell - 87 Sidney Crosby - 17 Bryan Rust

8 Michael Bunting - 71 Evgeni Malkin - 10 Drew O’Connor

72 Anthony Beauvillier - 19 Cody Glass - 53 Philip Tomasino

83 Matt Nieto - 46 Blake Lizotte - 55 Noel Acciari

24 Matt Grzelcyk - 65 Erik Karlsson

73 P.O Joseph - 58 Kris Letang

27 Ryan Graves - 5 Ryan Shea

28 Marcus Pettersson - 4 Nate Clurman

• The top power-play unit included Bunting, Crosby, Grzelcyk, Letang and Rakell. The second power-play unit involved Glass, Karlsson, Malkin, Rust and Tomasino.

• In a paper transaction for the benefit of roster management, Clurman was recalled from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League on Friday. He was quietly assigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Tuesday.